Packaging machine



c; F. RICHARD PACKAGING" MACHINE Filed NOV-7, 1931 'Oct. 29, 1 935.

9 Sheets- Sheet 1 I gkue ntoo Oct. 29, 1935. c. F. RICHARD; I 2,018,805

PACKAGING MACHINE I Filed Nov. '7, 1951 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 29, 1935. Q c. RICHARD I 2,018,506

PACKAGING MACHINE Fil'ed Nov. 7, 1931 9 EheetS She t 3 Oct. 29, 1935. 6.1-. RICHARD PAckAeINe MACHINE Filed Nov. 7/1951 9 "Sheets-Sheet .4

I lllnlll. llrlt l MW v Q Oct. 29, 1935. c.- F. RICHARD 8,

V PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 c. F. RICHARD PAcKAGING MACHINE EiledNov. 7, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct; 29, 1935; c. F. RICHARD PACKAGIN G MACHINE Fiied Nov. 7, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet. 7

Oct. 29, 1935. c. F. RICHARD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet B I Oct. 29, 1935. C.F. RICHARD PACKAGING MACHINE Fied Nov. 7, 1931' 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I Patented Oct. 29, 1935 Charles F. Richard, Battle Creek, Mich asslgnor to Johnson Automatic Sealer 00., Ltd, Battle Creek, Mich., a partnership-association limited of Michigan Application November-.7, 1931, Serial No. 573,699

- Renewed January v24, 1935 36 Claims. (Cl. 93-6) This invention relates to packaging machinery,

4 and more particularly to machines for closing the top of aliner orbag of a lined carton prior to the closing and sealing of the carton itself.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide new and improved mechanism for automatically closing in a rapid and eilicient manner the tops of the liners or bags of a succession of lined cartons as they pass througha packaging machine.

Another object is to provide a carton sealing machine for cartons having inner bags or liners with novel means for automatically folding and sealing the open tops of said bags or liners prior to thesealing of the cartons themselves.

A further object is to provide mechanism of this character wherein the folding of the liner top is progressively accomplished by means of a succession of folders of novel construction, while the sealing thereof is eflected by the application of heat to the folded portion.

Still another object is to provide novel automatic mechanism for spreading the open end of the filled liner of a carton and for neatly folding said end so as to effectively seal the liner against loss of its contents.

A still further object is to provide automatic folding and sealing mechanism for closing the open ends of carton liners made of a self-sealing material. embodying novel means for continuously heating both the folding and sealing elements thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved packagingmachine through which a carton having a filled inn r bag or liner is automatically ad vanced. the material in the liner being packed below the score lines of the carton flaps. the open end of the liner being spread, closed, folded and sealed, and the flaps of the carton itself being closed'and sealed, all of said operations taking place successively as the carton is continuously advanced through the machine A further obj'ct isto provide a packaging machine for handling lined cartons embodying novel mechanism for folding and sealing the liners, and including means for folding down and maintaining the flaps of the cartons out of the path of sa d liner folding and sealing mechanism until said operations are completed, and additional means for then folding said carton flaps over into. seal ng position.

These and other objects will appear more fully from a consideration of the detailed description of.

. the invention which iol ows, glthough only one embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be expressly understood that these drawings I are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope I 5 of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Figs. 1 and 1a, when joined along the broken lines, constitute a plan view of a packaging machine forming one embodiment of the present invention; I

Figs. 2 and 2a, when joined along the broken 15 lines constitute a side elevation of the machine I disclosed in Figs. 1 and 1a.

Fig. 3 is an end view, taken from the right of Figs. 1a and 2a, with certain parts omitted for through the fixed folders taken substantially on 30 lines 1-1, 8-8, 99, l0|0, and If-ll, respectively, of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a section through the heated sealing means taken substantially on line l2-l2 of Fig. 1; 5 3

Fig. 13 is a sectional view through the last set of fixed folders taken substantially on the line "-13 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through the-mechanism for striking up the end flapsof the carton tken substantially on line H-llv of Fig. l; and

Figs. 15 and 15a, when joined along the broken lines, constitute a diagrammatical representation in perspective of the various flap and liner spreading, liner folding and end flap folding means of the present invention. including a representation of the condition of the carton and liner top at each step during its progress through I the machine.

Referring now to the drawings, there is disthe closing and sealing thereof. In this machine,

cartons containing open topped, filled liners of a self-sealing material such as waxed paper, are supplied to the receiving end thereof from any suitable source, such as a filling and weighing machine, by means of a suitable conveyor. From the conveyor the open cartons are transferred by suitable pusher means to a carrier mechanism traversing the length of the liner folding andsealing machine, which mechanism may, if desired, constitute an extension of the carrier mechanism of any of the well known carton top sealing machines. The package is then carried forward past a packing and carton flap spreading device which packs the material within the liner below the score lines of the top of the carton and simultaneously spreads the two side flaps of the carton so as to allow them to be readily moved to positions in which they will not interfere with the operations to be performed on the top of the liner. The package next passes beneath a liner spreading mechanism which spreads the liner top longitudinally, or in the direction of movement of the carrier means, and travels with the carton for a predetermined distance while the first fold or crease is made in the liner by means of a pair of folder arms disposed on opposite sides of the liner top and movable together transversely to the direction of movement of the carton for bringing together the opposite sides of the liner top and thereby forming a fold or crease therein at substantially the level of the carton flaps.

As the carton is advanced further through the machine, the liner top passes between a plurality of fixed folder members which are so shaped ahd provided with suitable grooves that the liner top is doubled over upon itself a plurality of times so as to form any desired number of additional folds therein. The folded liner top is then moved between a pair of suitable heated sealing members which effectively seal the liner top by melting the wax or other suitable substance with which the liner is treated. Further advance of the carton through the machine passes the folded and sealed liner top through another set of fixed folders which flatten the liner top to substantially the level of the score lines of the carton flaps. whereupon a pressure plate engages the top of the liner and the carton side flaps while fingers raise or strike the carton and flaps into position so that suitable means may fold them in on top of the folded and sealed liner. From this point. the carton may be delivered to any desired form of top sealing machine such as that disclosed in Patent No. 1,118,424, issued November 24, 1914 to Harry L. Johnson.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 1a, 2, and 2a, a machine embodying the present invention is disclosed therein as being mounted on and supported by a pair of laterally spaced side frames l6 and I! of any suitable construction which are supported above the floor or machine foundation by suitable legs l8 .and which, if desired, may be formed as the extensions of the side frames of a carton top sealingmachine such as that disclosed in Patent No. 1,118,424. Side frames I6 and I! may also be rigidly connected together by suitable cross tie mmbers l9, l9, l9", and |9".

The various component elements of the folding and sealing machine forming the subject matter of the present invention are mounted on and supported by the framework just described, and suitable carrier means are provided for moving lined and filled cartons the length of the machine past the various folding and sealing devices. In

the form shown, the carton advancing'or carrier means comprises an extension of the carrier of the top sealing machine towhich the present machine is connected, and includes a' plurality of carton engaging pusher members vadjustably 5 secured as by suitable brackets 2| to an endless conveyor chain 22 which passes around a suitable sprocket 23 mounted on a shaft 24 journalled adjacent the receiving end of the liner folding and sealing machine, and a similar sprocket (not 1 shown) at the delivery end of the carton top sealing machine. Chain 22 and the pusher members 20 mounted thereon may be driven in any suitable manner from the main driving shaft of the carton top sealing machine. A conveyor way 1:; is arranged above the conveyor chain 22 and preferably comprises a pair of horizontal bottom pieces 25 (Fig. 3), on which the cartons are adapted to be suported and between which brackets 2| project, and vertically spaced side pieces or guides 26, both said bottom and side pieces being secured to suitable uprights 21 which may in turn rest upon the floor or machine foundation. As is shown best in Fig. 1a, the side pieces or guides 26 on one side of the carrier 25 means at the receiving end thereof are shorter than those on the other side, and the bottom piece 25 of the conveyor way on that side of the carrier is extended laterally to provide a transfer table 28 over which lined and filled caitons may 30 be moved in being transferred to the carton carrier or advancing means from the means which supply the filled cartons to the liner folding and sealing machine.

In the form shown, the lined and filled cartons are supplied by means of a continuously moving conveyor 29 of any suitable construction, said conveyor terminating adjacent the receiving end of the carrier means of the liner folding and sealing machine and in such a location as to permit transfer. of the cartons to said carrier means by suitable pusher mechanism such as that disclosed in Figs. la, 2a, and 3. As therein shown, the lined and filled cartons C, open at the tops, are advanced by conveyor 29 until they abut a pair of combined stop and guide members 30 suitably secured to side frame l6 and extending transversely across conveyor 29 to the side of the carrier means on which side pieces or guides 26 are broken away. As the cartons abut stop members 30 they are in alignment with transfer table 28 I and with an L-shaped pusher member 3| which is adapted to be reciprocated by suitable means to transfer the cartons from conveyor 29 across transfer table 28 onto bottom members 25 of the 5 conveyor way, in position to be engaged by a pusher member 20. During this transfer, the. transverse arm of L-shaped pusher member 3| serves to maintain the next carton on conveyor 29 in place until pusher member 3| completes its reciprocation and is ready to transfer another carton.

Although any suitablemeans may be provided for reciprocating pusher member 3|, it is desirable that the operation of said member be syn- 6 chronized with the movements of carrier chain 22 and pusher members 20, and the other elements of the liner folding and sealing machine later to be described. Accordingly, pusher member 3| is secured to and carried by a suitable bracket 32 which may be formed integrally with a sleeve 33 slidably mounted upon a shaft 34, the latter being mounted transversely of the machine and supported in suitable bearings 35 secured to side frames l6 and I1. Adjustabiy connected to sleeve 83 is a rack 85 which in engagement with and reciprocated by a gear 81 rotatably mounted on and supported by a stub shaft 38 which is secured in and depends downwardly from cross tie member l9. Secured to. and preferably formed integrally with, gear 81 is a pinion 99 which meshes with and is driven by a gear 48 secured to one end of a stub shaft 4| jom'nalled in cross tie member l9. To the other end of stub shaft 4| is secured an arm 42 which, through a suitable connecting rod 48, is connected to one end of a bell crank 44 (F;gs. 1 and 2). Bell crank 44 is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner on side frame l1 and is adapted to be reciprocated about its pivot by the action of a cam roller 45 mounted on the end of said bell crank opposite to connecting rod 49 and in engagement with the cam groove of a cam 48 which is mounted on and continuously rotated by a shaft 41 extending transversely of the machine and supported in suitable bearings mounted on side frames l8 and I1.

Shaft 41 is the main drive shaft of the liner folding and sealing mechanism, and is adapted to be continuously rotated in any suitable manner, as by a chain or belt drive (not shown) from the main driving shaft of the carton top sealing machine to which the liner folding and sealing machine is connected Also, the rotation of main driving shaft 41 and the movement of conveyor chain 22 of the carrier means are synchronized and preferably controlled by a common switch (not shown).

After a carton has been transferred by pusher member 3| from conveyor 29 across transfer table 28 and onto bottom pieces 25 of the conveyor way, its rear face is engaged by one of pusher members 28 and the carton is advanced through the machine, side pieces or guides 28 acting to maintain the cartons vertical and centered on the conveyor way against any tendency to laterally displace them. As the lined and filled carton open at the top is .thus advanced, it approaches mechanism which has been provided for packing the material in the carton liner below the score lines of the carton flaps and for spreading the side flaps of the carton top.

In the form shown, a shaft 48 is mounted transversely of the machine in a position well above the plane of the tops of the cartons and is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 49 secured to the tops of side frames l8 and I1. Shaft 48 is adapted to be driven in synchronism with the carrier means and the other elements of the machine as by a chain 58 which encircles sprockets 5| and 52 mounted on main drivin shaft 41 and shaft 48, respectively. Mounted on and. secured to shaft 48 by means of a sleeve 53, directly above the path of travel of the carton befng advanced by the carrier means, is a combined packing and flap spreading member 54. As shown best in Fig. 15a, packing and flap spreading member 54 comprises an irregularly curve-shaped packing body 55 which may be made hollow in order to conserve weight and secured to sleeve 53 as by a web 58, and laterally extending fiap guide members or fins 51 which may be made integral with packing body 55, or otherwise suitably secured to shaft 48.

The width of packing body 55 is such as to allow it to freely enter between the sides of the liner of a carton, and its irregularly curved shape is such as to permit said body to penetrate down into the liner and properly pack the material therein below the score lines of the carton top.

Flap guide members or fins 51 extend beyond the sides of packing body 55 a sufllclent distance to insure engagement with the inner surfaces of the sides of the liner top and thereby exert an outward pressure against the side flaps of the carton top so that the latter may be spread prior to the folding of the liner top. -The direction of rotation of shaft 48 is clockwise, as viewed in Figs, 2a and 15a, so that when packing body 55 is in engagement with the material within the liner it is moving in the same direction as the carton. F 7

As the side flaps of a carton are spread by flap guide inembers 51 of the rotating packing and flap spreading-member 54, the pointed ends 58 of a pair of flap guide rails 59 enter between the side flaps of the carton and the vertical sides of the liner top, and, due to their downwardly and outwardly curving construction, put said side flaps down to a substantially horizontal plane level with or slightly below the score lines of the carton top and hold them in that position until after the carton has advanced through the machine to the fixed folder mechanism later to be described, whence the side flaps are held down by certain elements of said mechanism.

Leaving the packlng and side flap spreading mechanism, the cartons are advanced to a position below mechanism which is provided for spreadingthe tops of the liners longitudinally, or in the direction of movement of the carrier means, preparatory to making the first fold or crease therein. As shown in Figs. 1a, 2a, and 4, suitable liner spreading mechanism may comprise a raceway framework 88' supported in a vertical plane directly over the path of travel of the cartons by a pair of supporting bracket members 8| which are secured at their outer ends to frame members l8 and i1 and extend transversely thereto across the machine with raceway framework 88 suitably secured to their inner ends. Mounted in suitable bearings 82 at one end of raceway framework 88 is a shaft 83 on which is secured a sprocket 54. A similar sprocket 85 is secured to a shaft 88 rotatably mounted in bearings 81 adjacent the opposite end of raceway 88, and a suitable chain 88 passes around both sprockets 84 and 85. Mounted on and detachably secured at intervals along chain 88 are a plurality of travelling carriers 89 oneach of which is suitably mounted a pair of spreader members 18 and H. Spreader members 18 and I I, which are. shown as being made of hard rubber or other similar material, although they may comprise brushes of hair or the like, are pivotally mounted on carriers 89, and, while the latter are continuously moved around raceway 88, are adapted to penetrate into the open top of a carton liner and then to be separated or spread apart so as to spread the liner longitudinally in its direction of travel, the spreader members continuing to travel with the liner for a predetermined distance until the first fold has been made therein. The continuous movement of chain 88 upon which carriers 89 are mounted is derived from main drive shaft 41 through a driving sprocket 12 secured to the latter, a driven" sprocket 13 secured to shaft 88, and a suitabledriving chain 14 encircling both sprockets I2 and 18. i

In the embodiment shown, the means for pivotally mounting spreader members I8 and H and for separating them after they have penetrated the open top of a'liner preferably comprises a suitable bearings transversely of carrier 88 and a pair of arms 11 and I8 secured to shafts I5 and 16, respectively, intermediate the ends thereof and in the same vertical plane as the center line of the carrier mechanism which advances the cartons through the machine. Spreader. members or brushes I and H are removably secured in any suitable manner to the extremities of arms ll and 18, respectively. Arms I1 and I8, and their attached spreader members 10 and II, are normally resiliently urged to the positions occupied by those elements which are shown secured to the uppermost carried in Fig. 2a. Arm TI is resiliently urged to this position by a spring 19 one end of which is fixedly secured to the carrier 69 as at 80 while the other end is fastened to a pin 8| which is secured'to shaft 15, thereby tending to rotate said shaft in a counter-clockwise direction. A suitable stop member 82 is provided to limit the counter-clockwise movement of arm 11. Arm I8 is likewise resiliently urged to the position shown by means of a coil spring 88 which is wrapped around a portion of shaft 16 and has one end secured to said shaft while the other end is fastened to carrier 69.

As carrier 89, with its arms I1 and I8 and spreader members 10 and II in the positions described, is continuously moved in a clockwise direction, through the driving connections described, it approaches the rear end of raceway 60 to which is adjustably secured on one side thereof a substantially U-shaped cam plate 84. As carrier 69 is carried around the end of raceway 60, a cam roller 85 carried by an arm 88 secured to one end of shaft 15 comes into engagement with cam plate 84, and, due to the shape thereof, rotates shaft 15 and moves arm 11 in a clockwise direction so as to point substantially vertically downward. Since chain 68 upon which carriers 88 are mounted derives its movement from main driving shaft 41, the movement of the carriers is synchronized with that of the carton carrier or advancing means, and spreader member ll carried by arm TI is assured of ready penetration into the open top of a carton liner.

Chain 88 of the liner spreading mechanism and carriers 88 are not only moved in synchro-v nism with the carton advancing means, but are also moved at the same speed therewith. Accordingly, further movement of carrier 89 around the rear end of raceway 80 and then along the bottom side thereof introduces spreadermember II into the open top of the same liner-into which spreader member I0 has already penetrated, arm 18 and spreader member 1i still.

maintaining their normal position which is substantially at right angles to carrier 69. Further movement of carrier 88 forward along the bottom of raceway 80, and now in company with one of the cartons, brings a cam roller 81,'which is carried by an arm 88 secured to one end of shaft I8, into engagement with an upwardly inclined cam plate 88 which may be suitably supported from one of supporting bracket members 6i. Engagement of cam roller 81 with cam plate 89 rotates shaft 18 and its attached arm 18 and spreader member 1| in a counter-clockwise direction and thereby separates or spreads the latter from spreader member I0 so as to spread or elongate the liner top in its direction of travel.

Spreader members 10 and II maintain this separated position during the travel of carrier 69 along the bottom of raceway 60 for a distance equal to the horizontal portion of cam plate 89 shown in Fig. 2a, during which time the front and rear end flaps of the carton are putdown and the first fold or crease is made in the liner top by mechanism later to be described. As carrier 69 approaches the front end of raceway 60, roller 81 passes oif of cam'plate 89, spreader members I0 and 'II pass out of the liner top, and arms 11 and I8 are returned to their original positions by springs I9 and 83. 10

Referring now to the mechanism for putting down the front and rear end flaps of the carton and for making the first fold or crease in the liner top, which mechanism operates substantially concurrently with the liner spreading means just described, the rear end flap is put down even with the score lines of the carton top by a pair of flap engaging guides 80 and 9| (Figs. 1a, 2a, and 15a) curved upwardly at their rear ends and secured to the ends of a pair of arms 92 and 29 93 which are in turn rigidly mounted on a pair of stub shafts 90 and 95 journalled in suitable bearing brackets 98 supported by side frames l8 and I1. Stub' shafts 94 and 95 are also provided with arms 91 and 98 secured at one end thereof 5 to said shafts and carrying at the other end adjustable cam rollers 99 and I00. These cam rollers are maintained in engagement with the surfaces of a pair of similar cams I M and I02 by suitable resilient means such as springs I 03 fas- 0 tened at one end to arms 91 and 98 and at the other end to side frames I6 and I1. Cams I0! and I02 are mounted for rotation with shafts I04 and I05 which are suitably journalled in hearing brackets I08 and I01 secured to and extend- 5 ing inwardly from side frames I6 and I1.

Shafts I04 and I05, which also form part of the movable first folder or creasing mechanism later to be described, derive their movements through suitable chain and gear transmissions 40 from main driving shaft 41, and hence are synchronized with the other movable elements of the machine. Flap bending guides 90 and 9| are fixed in such positions on arms 92 and 93,- and the relative positions of arms 92, 93, 91, and 98 and the form of cams IOI and I02 are such that the upwardly curved rear ends of guides 90 and 9| move inwardly toward one another in time to engage the upstanding rear end flap of a carton, and as the carton is advanced below said guides, the latter continue to move toward one another and to force the rear flap down at least to the level of the score lines of the carton top. After the carton flap passes from beneath guides 90 and 9I, continued rotation of cams IM and I02 permits the guides to be separated from one another under the action of springs I03 so as to allow the next carton topto pass therebetween until it is in position for the rear end flap to be engaged and bent downward. Referring now to the means for making the first fold or crease in the liner top, a pair of elongated folder arms, preferably slightly longer than the liner tops after elongation, are provided one on each side of the line of travel of the liner topstogether with mechanism for moving said arms toward and away from one another transversely to said line, said movement of the folder arms also having a component in the direction of movement of the liner tops. In the form shown, a pair of elongated folder arms I08 and I09 aresecured to, and preferably formed integral with, webbed folder frames H0 and III, respectively, and are supported thereby on opposite sides of the path of the liner tops. Suitable aoraeoe means are provided for giving folder arms I08 and I09 a continuous oscillatory movement toward and away from one another so as to engage the liner top between them and make the first fold or crease therein, said means comprising, in the present embodiment, a well known form' of parallel motion mechanism. As shown, folder frames H and III are provided with suitable links H2 and H3 parallel to folder arms I08 and I09, the ends of each link beingpivotally secured at like positions on a pair of rotatable disks the axes of rotation of which are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the points of pivotal connection thereto of each link. Link H2 is thus mounted on similar disks H4 and H5,

while link H3 is mounted on disks H6 and H1.

Disks H4 and H6 are in turn secured to shafts I04 and I previously referred to, while disks H5 and H1 are likewise mounted on shafts H3 and II9, respectively, which are also iournalled in brackets I05 and I01, parallel to and spaced from shafts I04 and I05.

Shafts H0, H9, I04, and I05 are continuously driven from main driving shaft 41 through a pair of similar transmissions which include bevel gears I20, I2I fixed on shaft 41 on opposite sides of the center thereof, and bevel gears I22, I23 whichare in engagement with gears I20, I2I and are mounted on suitable vertical stub shafts I24, I25. Shafts I24, I25 alsocarry spur gears I26, I21 which mesh with similar gears- I28, I29 secured to shafts I30, I3I rotatably supported in suitable bearing bosses secured to side frames I6 and I1.

Shafts I30, I3I also carry driving sprockets I32,

I33 around which pass chains I34, I35, the latter also encircling driven sprockets I36, I31 which are secured to stub shafts I38, I39,also journalled inbrackets I06 and I01. Idler sprockets I40,'I4I, adjustably mounted in brackets I42 secured to and extending inwardly from side frames I6 and I1, may be provided, if desired, for arfiusting the tension of driving chains I34, I35. Each of shafts I30, I39 is also provided with an eccentric gear I43, I44 which meshes with a similar eccentric gear I45, I46, the latter being secured to shafts H8 and H9 upon which rotatable disks H5 and III are mounted. Shafts H8, H9 are also provided with spur gears I41, I48 which drive similar spur gears I49, I50 secured to shafts I04 and I05 through the medium of idler gears -I5I, I52 mounted on shafts I53, I54 suitably journalled in brackets I06 and I01.

By means of the driving-transmissions Just described, folder or creasing arms I08 and I09 are given a continuous, variable speed movement toward and away from one another transverse to the direction of movement of the cartons through the machine, the path of travel of each of said folder arms being substantially elliptical so that there is a component of said movement along the line of travel of said cartons as well as transverse thereto. The folder arms are so adjusted that when in their innermost position they are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of spreader members and H so that the liner top which is engaged therebetween while not tightly squeezed is yet sufllciently creased to make the first fold. The component of movement of the folder arms in the direction of travel of the liner top serves to prevent any dragging effect upon the paper of said top during the time that it is engaged between the folder arms. The vertical position of folder arms I08 and I09 is preferably just above the level of the score lines of the carton top so that the first fold or crease is made substantially in this plane.

At the same time that flap guides 90 and 9| are putting down the rear end flap of a carton, and folder arms I08 and I09 are making the first fold 5 or crease in the liner top, suitable mechanism carried by the said folder means is also operative to put down the front end flap of the carton. In the form shown, folder arm I09 carries mounted thereon a flap bending finger I55 which is piv- 10 oted on a stud I56 for swinging movement to the straight ahead position shown in Figs. 1a and a from a position at right angles thereto wherein the finger extends transversely inward from folder arm I09. This swinging movement aboutstud I56 15 is effected by the engagement of acam roller I51 with a cam plate I58 which is secured to cross tie member I9" and positioned in the line of travel of cam roller I51, the latter being mounted on flap bending finger I55 by a suitable arm I59. As folder arm I09 is given its oscillatory movement by disks H6 and H1, finger I55 is alternately swung about stud I56 bythe engagement of cam roller I51 with cam plate I58. The configuration of cam plate I50 and the mounting of cam roller I 51 with respect to finger I55 are such as to cooperate with the swinging movement of folder arm I09 so that when said folder starts its inward movement toward the opposite folder arm I08, roller I51 is out of contact with plate I58 and finger I55 is extended transversely inward, as by a suitable spring (not shown)", so as to penetrate between the back of the front end flap of the carton and the front of the carton liner. Then, v as the swinging movement of the folder arm I09 continues, cam roller I51 engages cam plate I58 and swings finger I55 forward so as to lower the ing the subsequent folding and sealing operations by means next to be described.

The front end fiap loweringoperation is completed just before the carton reaches the entrance to the fixed folding mechanism whichis supported upon a pair of bottom plates I60 and I6I, the latter being suitably suspended from cross tie members I9" and I9 of the machine frame and spaced apart a sufilcient distance to allow free passage of the liner tops therebetween. Plates I60 and I6I not only serve to support the fixed folder mechanism, but also act as flap guides .1 which hold down the carton fiapsduring the rest of the liner folding and sealing operations. Accordingly, it will be understood that finger I completes its swinging movement and lowers the 55 will be caught under the plates and held down thereby.

' Referring now to Fig. 15a, the operations which have been performed by the mechanism thus far described may be summarized as follows: A lined and filled carton open at the top is supplied to the receiving end of, the machine by conveyor 29, is transferred by pusher member 3I onto the conveyor ways 25 of the carrier means, is engaged by a pusher member 20 of the continuously movingchain 22 and is advanced thereby forwardly through the machine. At this time the top of the 7 carton is in substantially the conditionshown in position I at the extreme right of Fig. 15a, with the liner top open and square and the carton end and side fiaps upstanding. As the carrier means advances the carton beneath the combined packing and side flap spreading member 54, rotation of the latter on its shaft 48 packs the material in the liner below the score lines of the top of the carton and simultaneously spreads the side flaps of the carton so that the pointed ends 58 of flap guide rails 59 pass between the side flaps and the sides of the liner, move said flaps down to a substantially horizontal position and hold them there until the carton passes beneath plates I60 and I6I of the fixed folder mechanism.

The carton next passes below the liner spreading mechanism and the top of the liner is elongated in the direction of its travel by spreader members or brushes and 'II. As previously explained, these spreader members travel with the carton for a predetermined distance while front and rear 'end flaps are put down and the first fold is made. Accordingly, continued advance of the carton passes its topbetween the separated flap guides 90 and 9| and into position between continuously moving folder arms I08 and I09. As the rear flap passes guides 90 and 9I, they are moved inwardly toward one another by the action of cams IN and I02 and due to their curved construction force the rear flap-backward and downward, bendingit below the level of the score line. As folder arms I08 and I09 are moved together, finger I55 engages the back of the front end flap and, upon engagement of cam roller I51 with cam plate I58, is swung about its pivot so as to lower said front end flap below guide plates I 60 and I6 I. At the same time, the inward movement of folder armsl08 and I09 engages the elongated liner top, still extended by spreader members 10 and 1 I, and urges the opposite sides of the liner toward each other to form a first fold or crease just above the level of the score lines of the carton top, as indicated in position 11 of the carton in Fig. 15a.

As first folder or creasing arms "I08 and I09 separate and the carton continues to advance, the now vertical, collapsed portion of the liner top passes between a pair of suitable guide members I62 and I63 which are secured to the rear ends of plates I60 and I6I and provide an en-- trance to the fixed folder mechanism. As previously mentioned, plates I60 and I6I are suitably suspended from cross tie members I9" and I9 a sufficient distance apart to allow the passage therebetween of the liner tops, and form the supporting structure for a plurality of fixed folder members which are so constructed as to fold the liner top over upon itself a plurality of times and thereby effectively close the liner and prevent leakage of its contents. therefrom.

As shown best in Figs.'5-11, the first set of fixed folders is formed by a pair of stepped blocks I64 and I65 secured in any suitable manner to base plates I60 and I6I, respectively, a pair of similar, irregularly shaped folder plates I66 and I61 which are adapted to besecured to the top of block I64 and to project over a portion of the passageway I12 between said block and the opposite block I65 to form the horizontal folds, a pair of diagonal grooves I68 and I69 of varying depth formed in block I65, and a pair of similarly shaped deflecting plates I10 and HI adapted to be secured to the top of block I65 and to extend over grooves I68 and I69 so as to deflect the edges of the liner top into said grooves to form the vertical folds. Blocks I64 and I65 each comprises a high and low portion, as shown best in Fig. 6, plates I66 and I10 and groove I68 being respectively secured to and formed in the high portions of said blocks, while plates I61 and HI and groove I69 are respectively secured to and formed in the lower portions. This stepped arrangement is provided in order to properly fold the liner top in a plurality of folds, the height of the upstanding portion of the top constantly decreasing as the successive folds are made. 5

Referring now to Figs. 15 and 15a in conjunction with Figs. 5-11, the progress of the liner top through the fixed folders may be followed step by step. In position III, the carton is passing between vertical guides I62 and I63 forming 10,

the entrance to the fixed folder mechanism, the liner top is collapsed and vertical as the result of the operation of the first folders or creasing elements, and the forward end of the liner top has just entered the passageway I12 formed between 1:, blocks I64 and I65. As the forward edge of the vertical liner top comes into contact with the diagonally slanting edge of folder plate I66 which crosses passageway I12, the second fold of the liner top is made, the upper portion thereof being bent over at right angles, or to a horizontal position, relative to the rest of the top, between the bottom surface of folder plate I66 and the upper surface of block I 65. Fig. '1 shows how this fold is made. Asthe carton is advanced, and while the now horizontal outer portion of the liner top is still under the overhanging edge of folder plate I66, the forward edge of said portion passes under deflection plate I10 and is started down into the shallow, outer end of diagan anal groove I68. Groove I68 not only slants diagonally inward toward passageway I12 but also continually increases in depth so that continued advance of the carton causes the outer end of the liner top to follow the curvilinear path formed by groove I68 and to be folded through another 90, or to a substantially vertical position such as shown in position IV of Fig. 15. Fig. 8 shows how this fold is made. The fourth and fifth folds are made by plates I 61 and HI and groove I 69, as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, in the same manner as the second and third folds are made except that the heightof the folders is decreased by the stepped construction of blocks I64 and I65. The folds produced by these folders are as 5 shown in positions V and VI of Fig. 15.

Although a liner folded in this manner will effectively prevent leakage of the contents therefrom, it is preferable to also seal the folded portion of the liner so as to render the closure more nearly moisture-proof. When the liner is made of waxed paper, or other self-sealing material, a suitable sealing mechanism may comprise a pair of heated members, such as rollers, between which the folded liner tops may be passed and which will engage said liner tops with suillcient pressure so that when the wax of the liner is melted by the heat, the various thicknesses of the folded top will be pressed into intimate engagement with one another and sealed through 30 the medium of said wax. In the embodiment shown, the sealing means comprises a pair of rollers I13 and I14 located in a horizontal plane on opposite sides of passageway I12, and secured to and supported just above plates I and ISI by a pair of stub shafts I15 and I16 which are rotatably supported in suitable bearing brackets I11 secured to cross tie member I9' of the machine framework.

. Rollers I13 and I14 are constantly driven from 7 main drive shaft 41 at the same peripheral speed as the carton advancing means. As shown, the drive comprises a bevel gear I18 fixed to shaft 41 and meshing with a similar bevel gear I19 mounted on a stubshaft I80. Secured to shaft 7 I80 is a gear I8I which meshes with a similar gear I82 mounted on a suitable stub shaft I83. Keyed to gear 'I 82 is a driving sprocket I84 around which passes a chain I85, said chain also engaging a driven sprocket I88 secured to shaft I18 on which roller I14 is mounted. Although, if desired, roller I13 may be frictionally driven by contact with the liner top, it is preferable that this roller also be positively driven at the same speed as' but in the opposite direction to the roller I14. For this purpose, shaft I18 is provided with a second sprocket I81 which, through a chain I88, drives a similar sprocket I89 secured to shaft I15. In order to reverse the direction of rotation of roller I13 with respect to roller I14, chain I88 does not encircle sprocket I89 but only engages it on one side thereof, thence passing around an idler sprocket I90 which may be adjustably mounted in a suitable bracket I9I secured to side frame I8.

Any suitable means may be provided for heating rollers. I13 and I14, those in the form shown comprising a pair of heater blocks I92 and I93 secured to cross tie member I9"' and supported closely adjacent to the peripheries of rollers I13 and I14. Each heater block is provided with a suitable heating element, such as an electric resistance unit I94, secured to the underside'of said block and provided with the proper electri-.- cal leads I95 connected to a suitable source of current. In order that the efiiciency of the heat transfer from heater blocks I92 and I93 to rollers I13 and I14 may be maintained as high as possible, the blocks are made thicker than the rollers, as shown in Fig. 12, and are not only provided with curvedsurfaces I98 and I91, which closely surround the peripheral edges of the rollers, but also include underslung portions I 98 and I99 which extend inwardly beneath a substantial portion of the rollers. With this construction, and by using the proper material for rollers I13 and I14 and heaterblocks I92 and I93, the heat transferring emciency, and hence the sealing efficiency of the rollers, may be maintained ata high standard.

If desired, the fixed folder members past which the liner tops travel before encountering sealing rollers I13 and I14 may also be heated. Accordingly, the present embodiment includes a plurality of heater elements 200 (Figs. 1 and 5-10) which may be suitably secured to the outer sides of folder blocks I84 and I85, and electrically connected to one another and to a suit- 4 elements is maintained at a minimum, the waximpregnated paper of the liner tops is more easily folded and the folded portions "tend more readily' to maintain their positions due to this After passing between sealing rolls I13 and I14, the now folded and heat sealed liner top projects vertically upward from the liner and carton as shown in position VI of Fig. 15, and suitable means must be provided for folding or flattening said liner top -to a substantially horizontal position about on a level with the score lines of the carton flaps so that the lattermay be folded in on top of the liner, and the carton itself may be sealed. For this purpose, the rear, or left as viewed in the figures, extremities of base plates I and IN are provided with a final pair tops passing through passageway I12.

of fixed foldermembers or plates 202 and 203. As shown, plate 202 has a horizontal portion 204 which rests on and is suitably secured to plate I60, and a folding or flattening portion 205 which is substantially vertical and coplanar with the 5 inner edge of base plate I80 at its forward end but gradually and continually turns inward and downward over passageway I12 until, at its rear or left end, it is substantially horizontal and coplanar with portion 204. Plate or block 203 com- 10 prises a horizontal portion 206 which rests on top of and is secured to base plate I8I, and a downwardly offset horizontal portion 201 which, is disposed within a recess 208 formed in plate I8I and'underlies flattening or folding portion 15 205 of folder block 202. Portion 201 offolder block 203 may be made as thin as desired, and is so located that as the vertical, folded and sealed liner top passes between folder blocks 202 and 203 it is gradually folded or fiattenedpver on 20- top of the liner to a horizontal position substantially level with the score lines of the carton top. After passing through this last folder, the liner top occupies substantially the position shown in position VII of Fig. 15, and the carton 25 is-ready to have its topfiaps folded in and scale to complete the package.

Since the material of the liner tops sometimes becomes caught in the curvilinear passageway which it follows in its travel through the fixed 3n folders, suitable means may be provided for readily separating the opposite groups of folder blocks so that the jammed or torn material may be quickly removed therefrom. As indicated in Figs.

1 and 2, and shown best in Fig. 13, one of the .15

base plates supporting the fixed folder mechanism, here shown as plate I80, is fixedly secured in position as by arms 209 which are suitably clamped and supported in brackets 2I0 secured to cross tie members I9" and I9. In order 40 that base plate I80 may be adjusted so that its inner edge lines up with the line of travel of the liner tops, arms 209 are provided with upturned portions 2I0 the inner faces of which are engaged by the heads of suitable jackscrews 2H 45 threaded into brackets 2I0. The opposite base plate IGI is movably suspended from cross tie members I9" and I9' as by suitable supporting rods 2 I2 the lower ends of which pass through transverse elongated slots formed in suitable supporting blocks 2I4 secured to the upper surface of plate I8I, the lower extremities of rods 2I2 being provided with enlarged heads 2 I5 engaging the undersides of blocks 2I4. Suitable resilient means, such as a spring 2I8 secured at its oppo- .site ends in any desired manner to pins 2H normally urged toward plate I80 so as to bring the folder members carried by both plates into proper relationship to form the folds in the liner The outer ends of the slots in-blocks 2I4 limit the inward movement of plate I8I to the proper amount. To separate the folder blocks so as to remove ma- 65 terial caught therebetween, it is only necessary to grasp pin '2I8 and move plate I 8| and the folder mechanism carried thereby outwardly to the right as viewed in Fig. 13, away from the opposite folders.

From the last folder mechanism which flattens the folded and sealed liner top down substantially level with the top of the carton, the carton passes to the mechanism for foldingin the front and rear end flaps prior to its passage into the 78 cartonsealing apparatus. As shown in position VII of Fig. 15, the extremities of the flattened liner top at this time extend forwardly and rearwardly beyond the front and rear faces of the carton and overlie portions of the front and rear end flaps, and means must therefore be provided for folding these extremities into the confines of the carton either independently of or at the same time that the end flaps are foldedin. In theembodiment shown, suitable mechanism is provided for engaging the top surface of the liner and the side flaps while the front and rear end flaps and the overlying extremities of the liner top are first struck upwardly toward a vertical position and then positively folded inwardly and downwardly on top of the liner and within the carton.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 14, side frame I6 is reduced in height forward of tie member I9' and has secured thereto a box-like housing 2 I9 provided with oppositely disposed side openings 220 and HI, in the top of which housing is suitably supported, as in a bearing boss 222, a vertical stub shaft 223. Shaft 223 is adapted to be driven in synchronism with the other elements of the machine from main driving shaft 41. and to this end has secured to its upper extremity a sprocket 224 which is driven by a suitable chain 225 from a sprocket 226 fixed on a stub shaft 221 which is rotatably supported in a suitable bearing member 223 mounted on cross tie member I9"' and adjustable relative thereto as by a jackscrew 229. Shaft 221 also carries a sprocket 230 which is driven by a chain 23I from a sprocket 232 see cured to stub shaft I24, said shaft in turn being driven from main driving shaft 41 through bevel gears I20 and I22 previously described. The tension of driving chain 225 may be suitably adjusted by a roller 233 supported in engagement with said chain by an arm 234 adjustably mounted on bearing boss 222. I

Secured to the lower end of shaft 223 and rotatable therewith is an arm or link 235 having an elongated 'slot 236 adjacent its outer end. Arm 235 rotates beneath a fixed cam plate 231 secured to, or formed integrally with, the top of housing 2I9 and having a cam groove 238 formed therein. Extending through a slot 236, the length of which is substantially equal to the difference between the maximum and minimum distances of cam groove 238 from the axis of shaft 223, and engaging cam groove 238, is a cam roller 239 suitably mounted on a slide 249 which is supported. in a carriage 24I for movement transverse to the direction of travel of the carton through the machine, said carriage being in turn mounted for sliding movement parallel to the direction of movement of the carton on a pair of rods or guides 242. With this construction, carriage MI is given aforward and backward reciprocating movement parallel to the movement of the carton, while at the same time slide 240, which is carried bodily forward and backward by carriage 24I, is also reciprocated inwardly and outwardly, or transverse to the direction of movement of the carton. During this movement of slide 240, its ends extend outwardly through side openings 220 and MI of housing 2I9. The direction of rotation of shaft 223 is counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that slide 240 comes in approaching the carton, travels with the carton for a predetermined distance, then moves outwardly away from the carton and returns for the next cycle.

Mounted on the underside of the inner end of slide 249 is a bearing 243 (Figs. 14 and 15) in which is fixedly supported a shaft 244 the extremities of 'which extend forwardly and rearwardly beyond the sides of bearing 243 and slide 240. Freely mounted on shaft 244 by a pair of arms 245 .which straddle the inner end of slide 240 isa pressure plate 246 which extends inwardly beyond the end of slide 240 and is adapted to be moved into engagement with the top of the folded liner while the front and rear end flaps and the overlying extremities of the folded liner top are folded in. Pressure plate 249 is normally maintained in an upwardly directed angular position relative to slide 240 by any suitable-means such as a coil spring 241 one end of which is secured to one of arms 245 while the other end is fastened to a collar 248 secured to shaft 244. Mounted on one of arms 245 and projecting downwardly therefrom is a spindle 249 on the lower end of which is rotatably mounted a cam roller 250. As slide 240 is moved inwardly toward a carton through opening 22I in the side of housing 2I9, cam roller 250 engages a fixed cam plate 25I suitably supported on side frame I6 as by a .bracket 252, further inward movement of the slide causing pressure plate 246 to be moved downwardly about shaft 244 as a pivot into engagement with the top of the folded liner and the side flaps of the carton, as shown in the broken lines of Fig. 14, so as to prevent upward movement thereof during the i'nfolding of the front and rear end fiaps.

Slide 249 also carries on its upper surface and at its inner end a bearing 253 in which is rotatably supported a shaft 254 the extremities of which extend forwardly and rearwardly beyond the ends of said bearing and the sides of slide 240. Rigidly. secured to each end of shaft 254 is a collar 255 which has secured thereto, or formed integrally therewith, a flap striking finger 256, said fingers being adapted to en age the outer surfaces of the front and rear end flaps of the carton and to strike said fiaps upwardly to a substantially vertical position. Shaft 254 is normally maintained in such a position that fingers 256 extend downwardly therefrom and. below the level of the positions of the front and rear end flaps by a suitable spring 251 one end of which is anchored in bearing 253 while the other end is secured to one of collars 255. Secured to the portion of shaft 254 between the other collar 255 and bearing 253 is an upwardly extending arm 258 on the end of which is rotatably mounted a cam roller 259. As slide 240 is moved inwardly toward a carton and pressure plate 246 is moved downwardly on top of the liner top by the engagement of cam roller 259 with cam 25I, cam roller 259 comes into engagement with a fixed cam plate 260 which may be suitably supported in position to be engaged by said cam roller as by an inwardly extending supporting arm 26I suitably secured to the top of housing 2I9. As cam roller 259 engages cam plate 269, continued inward movement of slide 240 causes shaft 254 to be rotated within its hearing 253 so that fingers 256 are raised beneath the then substantially horizontal front and rear end flaps of the carton and strike said fiaps and the overlying extremities of the-folded liner top upwardly to a substantially vertical position, as indicated in the broken lines in Fig. 14 and in position VIII of the carton in Fig. 15. The end flaps are then in position to be engaged by the mechanism for folding them inwardly on top of the liner. and it will be understood that pressure plate 246 and fingers 256 are withdrawn out of engagement with the carton in time for such folds to be made, due to the continuous movement imparted to slide 248 by the engagement of cam roller 239 with-cam groove 238.

As the carton continues to be advanced with -the flaps and the folded and sealed liner top in the positions indicated at VIII in Fig. 15, the front end flap with its overlying extremity of the liner top comes into. engagement with the upwardly turned forward end of a fixed folder plate 262 which may form part of the carton sealing machine. It is evident that continued movement of the carton under fixed folder plate 262 will turn the forward end flap and the forward extremity of the sealed liner inwardly and downwardly on top of the linerwithin the carton. At the same time that the front end flap is being engaged by fixed folder plate 262, the carton is passing under suitable mechanism for kicking the rear end flap and its overlying extremity of the sealed liner top inwardly and downwardly on top of the liner so that said fiap will also pass under and be held down by fixed folder plate 262. In the form shown, a horizontally extending flap engaging arm 263 is secured to the lower end of an arm 264 which is in turn secured to a stub shaft 265 rotatably supported in the end of a bearing arm 266. Arm 266 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 261 which is supported above and transverse to the line of travel of the cartons through the machine by suitable bearing brackets 268 secured to cross tie member |9"'.' The location of bearing arm 266 on shaft 261 and the length of flap engaging arm 263 are such that the latter extends transverse to and in position to engage the outer surfaces of the rear end flaps of the .cartons and, when actuated by suitable mechanism next to be described, to kick said fiaps forward and downward so that they will pass under fixed folder plate 262.

In order that flap engaging arm 263 may perform its desired function, it is preferably given both a movement with the carton, during the time that the fiap is being kicked forward, and an additional movement relative to the carton to effect the movement of the flap. In order to impart the first mentioned movement to arm 263, shaft 261 has secured thereto at one end (the near end as viewed in Fig. 2) a pinion 269 which is engaged by a rack 210 secured to, or formed integral with, a connecting rod 21| the opposite end of which is connected to one extremity of a bell crank 212 pivotally supported on side frame l6 as at 213. The other extremity of said bell crank carries a cam roller 214 (Figs. 1a and 2a) which is in engagement with the groove of a suitable cam member 215 secured to the end of main driving shaft "opposite to that on whch cam member 46 previously referred to is secured. Vertical movement of rack 210 out of engagement with pinion 269 is prevented by means of a roller 216 which is mounted on hearing bracket 268 and engages the top surface of said rack during its reciprocating movements.

Through the connections thus described, shaft 261 is continuously oscillated swinging bearing arm 266 and fiap engaging arm 263 in synchronism with the successive cartons as they pass below said mechanism and then returning said arms to the position shown in Figs. land 2 ready for engagement with thenext carton. During this bodily swinging movement of arms 266 and 263, the latter is also given an independent swinging movement so as to kick the rear end flaps of the able cam roller 218. Cam roller 218 is continu- 5 ally urged into engagement with the underside of a suitably cut cam plate 219 adjustably secured to bearing bracket 268 as by a spring 280 one end of which is anchored to hearing arm 266 while the other end is secured in any suitable manner 10 to arm 211. As flap engaging arm 263 is swung bodily in synchronism with the carton by shaft 261 and its associated driving mechanism, engagement of cam roller 218 with cam plate 219 oscillates shaft 265 in its bearing and swings arm 15 263 downward so as .to tuck the rear end flap under the upturned end of fixed folder plate 262.

After both of the front and rear end flaps have been folded in in the manner described and the carton moves forward under fixed folder plate 20 262, the advance of the carton may continue through any desired mechanism for gluing the side flaps and folding them in on top of the infolded end flaps so as to seal the carton in the well known manner. 25 Although it is believed that the operation of the machine disclosed herein is apparent from the preceding description, the various operations which are performed thereby may be summarized as follows: Cartons provided with inner liners or 30 bags of any suitable material, such as wax-impregnated paper, open at the top and filled with any desired material, are continuously supplied to the receiving end of the machine from any suitable source, such as a filling and weighing 35 machine, by means of a continuouslytravelling conveyor 29. The lined and filled cartons thus "suppliedto the machine are then transferred-latreciprocation of pusher member 3|, as well as the movements of all of the other elements of the machine which act upon the cartons and their liners, are synchronized with those of the carrier 45 means by virtue-of the fact that all of said elements derive their motion from a main driving shaft 41 which in turn may be driven by or drive the mechanismwhich actuates the carrier means.

Upon transfer to the carrier means, each car- 50 ton is engaged by a continuously moving pusher member 20 and is constantly advanced thereby through the machine. The carton with its vertically upstanding liner and carton fiaps first passes under a combined packing and flap spread- 55 ing member 54, the body portion 55 of which penetrates into the open liner top and packs the material therein below the score lines of the top of the carton, while a pair of flap bending guides 51 engage the inner surfaces of the sides of the 00 liner top and exert an outward pressure thereagainst whereby the side flaps of the carton are bent outwardly so as to permit the pointed ends 58 of guide rails 59 to penetrate between the side flapsand the sides of the liner, and to put and 55 hold the side flaps down in a substantially horizontal position.

Further advance of the carton brings it beneath the liner spreading mechanism, and spreader members 10 and 1| of one of carrlers69 ex- 70 tend into the open linertop and by engagement of cam rollers and 81 with cam members 84 and 89, respectively, are spread apart or separated so as to spread or elongate the liner top in the direction of movement of the carton. At l the same time, continuously moving fiap bending guides 90 and 9| move inwardly to engage the rear end flap and force it down to a horizontal position. While the liner top is still engaged by spreader members 10 and H, first folder or creasing arms I08 and I09 are moved toward one another transversely to the direction of movement of the carton and engage the elongated liner top therebetween so as to form a crease or first fold therein substantially at the level of the score lines of the carton top. Simultaneously with the making of this crease or first fold, the forward end flap of the. carton is put down heneath plates I60 and I6I by the swinging movement of finger I55 causedby the engagement of cam roller I51 with cam plate I58.

a liner top thereby avoiding any possibility of tearing or mutilation of the liner. This first fold or crease is made without any effort to positively apply pressure to or seal the liner top and is for the purpose of preparing the liner top for the subsequent folding or doubling over thereof.

Leaving-the first folder or creasing mechanism, the carton flaps and liner top are substantially horizontal and vertical, respectively, as indicated at position II in Fig. 15a, and continued advance of the carton moves the liner top between guides I62 and I63 into passageway I12 between the opposing groups of fixed folder members. As the liner top is moved through the fixed folder mechanism, it follows a curvilinear path and is folded over upon itself a plurality of times by the cooperative action of folder plates I66 and I61, de-" fiector plates I10 and HI, and grooves I66 and I69, the successive folds being clearly indicated in positions III, IV, V, and VI of Figs. 15 and 15a. If desired, these fixed folders may be provided with suitable heating means both to prevent the accumulation of wax thereon and to facilitate the folding and sealing of the liner tops.

From the first set of fixed folders, the now vertical folded liner top is carried between sealing rollers I13 and I14 which press the elements of the folded liner top together, and, through the medium of the heat which is transmitted to the rollers from heater blocks I92 and I 93, completely seal said liner top by the melting of the wax or other adhesive with which the paper of the liner is treated. Further advance of the carton moves A the now folded and sealed liner top between the final pair of fixed folders 202 and 203 which flatten the liner top down to a horizontal position substantially level with the score lines of the carton, as shown in position VII of Fig. 15.

The carton then moves past the mechanism which first strikes up and then folds in the front and rear end flaps of the carton preparatory to kicking them and their overlying extremities of 5 the folded liner top upwardly to a substantially vertical position, as shown at VIII in Fig. 15. As the carton advances further, the now substantially vertical front end flap is engaged by, and moved inwardly and downwardly by, the up- 10 turned end of fixed folder plate 262, while at the same time finger 263 is swung into engagement with the outer surface of the rear end flap by the oscillation of shaft 261 and by movement of cam roller 219 along cam plate 219 is moved so 15 as to kick said iiap-forwardly and downwardly in time to catch beneath the end of fixed folder plate 262. From this position the carton continues its advance through any desired form of carton sealing machine wherein the side flaps are 20 folded in on top of the end flaps and the folded and sealed liner top, and are sealed in any suitable manner so as to form the completed carton with its folded and sealed liner.

There is thus provided by the present inven- 25 tion a new and improved machine for folding and sealing the top of the liner or bag of a lined carton prior to the closing and sealing of the carton itself. The novel mechanism herein disclosed is automatic in operation and continu- 30 ously folds and seals in a rapid and efficient manner the liner tops of a succession of cartons as they are continuously advanced through the machine. The liner tops are first given a plurality of folds which are of themselves sufilcient to make 35 the liner sift-proof, and then the already folded portion is tightly sealed so as to make it more nearly moisture-proof. In order that the folding and sealing of the liner top may be performed eillciently and rapidly, novel means are also pro- 40 vided for spreading and putting down the flaps of the carton so that they will not interfere with the operation of the folding means, while the liner itself is preliminarily spread or elongated in the direction of movement so that the folds are 45 more easily made. The first fold or crease is made by a pair of continuously moving folder arms one of which also carries the means for putting down one of the end flaps of the carton, while a plurality of novelty formed fixed folder 50 blocks or plates have been provided for making a plurality of subsequent folds. After the folded liner tops have been scaled by rotatable sealing members which are heated in a novel manner, new and improved means have been provided 55 for flattening the folded and sealed portion of the liner down on top of the liner. Continuously movable means of novel construction have also been included for folding in the end flaps of the carton prior to the closing and sealing 0 thereof. All of the novel elements of the machine herein disclosed are synchronized in their movements and cooperate in an efficient manner to produce a unitary, high speed machine for handling, closing and sealing a lined carton. I 55 It will be obvious that the invention is not limited to the form shown in the drawings but is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments. For example, any of the numerous motion producing mechanisms described may be replaced 70 with equivalent arrangements capable of achieving the same result, and any suitable type of conveyor or carrier means may obviously be employed in place of the well known means illustrated. Moreover, although the apparatus has aoiaeoo been described as adapted for connection to a carton sealing machine so that the movement of the. cartons is continuous therethrough, it will be understood that the mechanism constituting the present invention may also be used independently, or in combination with any other desired form of apparatus. Also, while the liner sealing elements have been described as suitable for a liner made of material which is self-sealing, such as wax-impregnated paper, it will be understood that cellophane, glassine or any other suitable lining paper can be handled in accordance with the present invention by inserting suitable gluing devices at any desired point in the machine and eliminating the heating of rollers I13 and I'll and of the fixed folder blocks. It is also apparent that, if desired, the heat sealing or suggested gluing devices may both be omitted, and the tops of the liners merely folded into position without sealing, and that any desired number of folds may be made by the fixed folder mechanism, the invention not being limited to the number shown.

' Furthermore, any of the various elements of the machine may be used independently of the others, and various combinations can be made of the several features illustrated and described, within the present invention. Various other changes,

which will now appear to those skilled in the art,

may be made in the form, details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, and reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for sealing cartons having inner liners, carrier means for advancing the cartons through said machine, means for spreading the liner tops in the direction of movement of said carrier means, means movable transversely to the direction of movement of said carrier means for moving the opposite sides of the liner tops toward one another to form relatively flat, upstanding foldable portions therein, a plurality of fixed folder members between which said portions of the liner tops are moved, said members being so shaped as to form a plurality of folds in said liner tops, and means for sealing said folded liner tops.

2. In a machine for sealing cartons having inner liners, carrier means forcontinuously advancing the cartons through said machine, means for spreading the liner tops inthe direction of movement of said carrier means, means including a pair of arms disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel of the liner tops and movable together transversely to the direction of movement of said carrier means for moving the opposite sides of the liner tops toward one another to form relatively flat, upstanding foldable portions therein, a plurality of fixed folder members between which portions of the liner tops are moved, said members being so shaped as to form a plurality of folds in said liner tops, and a pair of heated sealing members between which said folded liner tops are moved to seal the same.

3. In amachine for sealing cartons having inner liners, carrier means for advancing the cartons through said machine, means for spreading the liner tops in the direction of movement of said carrier means, means movable transversely to the direction of movement of said carrier means for moving the opposite sides of the liner tops toward one another to form relatively fiat, upstanding foldable portions therein. a plurality of fixed folder members between which said portionsof the liner tops are moved, said members being so shaped as to form a plurality of folds in saidliner tops, means for sealing said folded liner tops, and additional folder members for flattening the sealed and folded liner tops 5 to a substantially horizontal position.

4. In a machine for sealing cartons having irmer liners, carrier means for continuously advancing the cartons through said machine,'means for spreading the liner tops in the direction of 10 movement of said carrier means, means including a pair of arms disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel of the liner tops and movable together transversely to the direction of movement of said carrier means for moving the Opposite sides of the liner tops toward one another to form relatively fiat, upstanding foldable portions therein, a plurality of fixed folder'members between which said portions of the liner tops are moved, said members being so shaped as to form 20 a plurality of folds in said liner tops, a pair of heated sealing members between which said folded liner tops are moved to seal the same, and additional folder members for flattening the sealed and folded liner tops to a substantially 2:; horizontal position. I

- 5. In a machine for sealing cartons having inner liners, carrier means for continuously advancing the cartons through said machine, means for spreading the liner tops in the direction of 30 movement of said carrier means, means for moving the opposite sides of the liner tops toward one another while engaged by said spreading means andthereby forming relatively fiat, upstanding foldable portions therein, a plurality of '5 fixed folder members between which said portions of the liner tops are moved, said members being so shaped as to form a plurality of folds in said liner tops, means for sealing said folder liner tops, additional folder members for fiatten- 0 ing the sealed and folded liner tops, to a substantially horizontal position, and means for folding in the flaps of said cartons on top of said sealed and folded liner tops.

6. In a machine for sealing cartons having 45 inner liners, carrier means for continuouslyadvancing the cartons through said machine, meansfor spreading the liner tops in the direction of movement of said carrier means, means including a pair, of arms disposed on opposite sides of 50 the path of travel of the liner tops and movable together transverselyto the direction of movement of said carrier means for moving the opposite sides of the liner tops toward. one another at substantially the level of the cotton fiaps and 55 thereby forming relatively fiat, upstanding foldable portions therein, a plurality of fixed folder blocks between which said portions of the liner tops are moved, said blocks being so shapedas to form a plurality of folds in said linertops, a 60 pair of heated sealing rolls between which said folded liner tops are moved to seal the same, addi-- tional folder blocks for flattening the sealed and folded liner tops to substantially the level of the score lines of said carton flaps, and means for 05 folding in the flaps of said cartons on top of said sealed and folded liner tops. Y

7. In a machine for sealing cartons having inner liners, carrier means for continuously advancing the cartons through said machine, means "0 for spreading the side flaps of said cartons, means for spreading the liner tops in the direction of movement of said carrier means, means for spreading and putting down the end flaps of the cartons, and means movable transversely to the 76 

